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2007 Windsurf Resolutions

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2007 Windsurfing Resolutions

Action photo: 360photography.co.uk

Name:

Rachel Tucker

Call me a:

A rare breed; an English female wave sailor!

My 2007 resolution:

To compete on the UKWA Freewave Tour.

I’m looking to push myself this year as I enjoy being challenged with my sailing but I generally need a kick up the backside to do it! Sailing with all the girls in Vassiliki and then on the Moreno camp last year really motivated me, so I’m hoping to sail with girls that will push me again this year. I’m also hoping to enjoy it! I’ve not really felt the desire to compete before as up until now windsurfing itself has been enough of a challenge and I’ve not been confident enough to try. My biggest fear is people being judgemental about me and my sailing but I’m just competing for myself so it’s no big deal. I’ve no idea how I’ll cope with nerves, probably by falling in a lot!

Kevin: I will be putting more effort into racing this year and I have been training in the gym a lot and I hope this is what will take me to the next level. I have also been working hard on some new fin and sail developments with Debouchet and Maui Sails. Maui Sails has come out with the new TR3 and it will be fast and furious on the race course. I am also getting ready to defend my wave World Title starting in March on Cabo Verde. These are pretty big New Year’s resolutions so we shall see!

Be the first to sail some of the offshore reefs in Ireland & succeed in my Irish Sea Crossing Speed record

This spring there are a few offshore reefs in Ireland that I want to explore for windsurfing (and tow-in). So many days pass here without anyone really seeing the potential that Ireland has. And I’m determined to make my Irish Sea crossing speed record successful this spring also. It’s been frustrating waiting for the ideal conditions; there has been many days I could have crossed but not necessarily at top speed with guaranteed planing all the way. The right day will come soon. Oh and I also want to land goitas back on the wave and have a go at getting into the 40knot club on my speed kit – it’s going to be a busy year!

Zara: If the Trench in France is open this year then that is the best chance I have to beat Karin Jaggi’s record. Namibia in the autumn is also a possibility. It was here in 2006 that I broke the world mile and British 500m records. Peter Thommen (T1) is going to make a custom board for me for this year and I also have excellent sails in Gaastra, so with some of the best kit in the world the biggest influence will be being in the right place at the right time, very tricky for a part time sailor who’s life is run by her appointment diary! (Zara is an Osteopath)

I started windsurfing in the early 90’s down at Troon which is on the west coast of Scotland . I went up to Tiree to compete in the early days of that event and was sponsored by 7th Wave (the biggest windsurfing shop in Scotland). But I sort of drifted away from windsurfing in the last few years and got into surfing, particularly on the east coast of Scotland . However in October 2006, I went back to Tiree to see what the standard was like and meet up with all my Troon buddies. I was inspired by the standard of the UK Pro sailors so told my fellow Troon buddies (Scott McDowell and Ian Gibson) that Big Davey was back!! And what better way to return than to sort my loops out once and for all. I had actually started with the recent Christmas gales and I’m now going round no problem – just need to make them more stylish! I’m still well into surfing, but now, instead of waiting for the gale to pass, I’ll turn up as it arrives with my windsurf kit.

For more of Big Davey: Well you could hang out at Troon beach and wait for the biggest man in Ayrshire to arrive, or you could chat to Brian Stark, owner of the ScottishBoardwise who has been helping out Davey since he was a wee lad (hard to believe).

Photos: PWA/Carter

Name:

Laure Treboux

Call me a:

Freestyle sensation

My 2007 resolution:

Learn to shaka and get a 1st or 2nd place overall in Freestyle!

I’m training hard at the moment in Freestyle to be able to get a 1st place (or 2nd) on the PWA Freestyle Tour in 2007. I’ve learnt quite a few new moves recently like the Bob & Funnel but there are still a few that I need to learn or get more consistent and do good in competition. The big move for ’07 has to be the shaka!

I also want to concentrate on wave sailing more now, that’s why I’m off to Cape Town for a couple of months this winter, then Maui. My goal is to one day be able to mix freestyle with waves and rip it up in any conditions.

Simon (Hurrey) will travel around with me a lot, which will help me learn even more out there. I will listen very carefully to all his advice and try my best not to get angry on the water!

Also, as promised to one of my good friends, I will study a bit more about Sea Badgers and try and bring back a picture of this very rare species found in the deep seas of South Africa.

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